Refugees Before the U.S. entered the war Eleanor worked to make things easier for refugees from Germany to enter the country. She worked with the Emergency Rescue Committee, the U.S. Committee for the Care of European Children, and the Children's Crusade for Children. Her work efforts were so public she received hundreds of petitions from people trying to enter the U.S. Although laws remained the same she was able to save hundreds in individual efforts.
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The Home FrontEleanor believed that promoting democracy at home and keeping up people's spirits was a vital part of the war effort. "She confronted both opportunity and adversity with a sense of optimism and determination." When working women could not find child care Eleanor had day care and take-out kitchens put into many factories. She also played a key role in convincing FDR to establish the Fair Employment Practices Commission, which outlawed racial discrimination in industries that received federal contracts, urged equal treatment for blacks in the military, and made sure blacks had the opportunity to engage in combat.
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Soldier MoraleEleanor corresponded with many soldiers and became their "pen pals". They responded to her questions and she help comfort them and addressed the issues they were having. One of her most important contributions was the kindness and support she gave thousands of soldiers she met on her trips to military bases in England and in the South Pacific.
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